VVIPs to commoners: Snatchers spare none on Delhi streets
New Delhi: When you talk about street crimes, the first image that comes to the mind is two men on a scooty or a bike wearing helmets trying to snatch a cellphone or the purse of a man or woman on Delhi roads. Despite Delhi Police's best efforts and strategies, snatching is becoming a menace for Delhi with back to back incidents being reported from various parts of the capital. In some cases, victims suffered grievous injuries and had to be hospitalised. From high profile dignitaries to commoners, snatchers have spared no one on the streets. Journalists, Social workers, Ambassador of a foreign country, Solicitor General's wife, or wives of politicians, activists and foreigners, almost all of them form the list of the victims. Some of them are still waiting for the culprits to be caught and recovery of their belongings.
Surprisingly in the month of September, Delhi saw 130 robberies, 420 snatchings, 40 murders, 35 attempts to murder, 160 rapes, 200 molestations, 450 kidnappings, 200 burglaries, 150 house thefts and 3,400 motor vehicle thefts.
A woman journalist Joymala Baghchi was attacked by snatchers in Chitraanjan Park in September which left her in the hospital with fractured bones and several stitches. She just tried to hold on to her bag while sitting in the auto. The result she was dragged on the street for several meters. The snatches were later caught by Special cell after a shootout. Days after this attack, a doctor's wife was attacked by snatchers on her birthday in Rajouri garden as the couple was returning home after having dinner in a restaurant. Though she tried resisting but was dragged several meters by the snatchers.
Meanwhile, Jyoti Rathee, Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) member was also robbed by two miscreants in Rohini.
There are certain precautions that could be taken by the people themselves. Try not using your phones on roads until extremely necessary as this makes you vulnerable to snatchers and also prone to accidents. Be extra cautious when you are at long road stretches as the bikers might find the place suitable for snatching and fleeing. If you are walking on the left-hand side of the road try using the phone on the left ear making it difficult for the snatchers to snatch your devise.
